Four Cheltenham College pupils have set themselves a gruelling challenge of kayaking, hiking, cycling and paragliding across Montenegro to raise money for a charity that helps young people in the UK fight cancer.

17 year old Finn Sowerbutts has organised the trip in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust’s South West Appeal and has invited three friends to join him; Bella Haycraft Mee, Alfie Gilbert and Emma Beresford – all pupils at College. They will set off on 11 August and hope to complete the challenge in seven days.

The first part of the challenge for the four-strong team will be kayaking across the Bay of Kotor. They will then hike the zig zag ancient trade routes up to 1,000 metres where they will sleep out in the open under the stars. The following long three days will be hiking and will rely on orienteering skills learnt at Cheltenham College. As there are no mountain paths and only a rudimentary map to guide them, this task will be difficult. The final leg is a steep, hilly cycle ride to the point where they paraglide to the final destination in Budva.

The teenagers have been training at South Cerney Outdoor Education Centre to prepare for the challenge and have also received support from paragliding instructor, Robin Brown, who originally comes from the Stroud area but now lives and works in Montenegro.

Finn Sowerbutts commented: “Last summer my brother Felix completed a tough Croatian cycle ride and raised £6,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust’s South West Appeal. With just a hint of sibling rivalry I hope to raise even more. There is never a good time to get cancer but to be diagnosed as a teenager is particularly cruel. Every day six young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer and so the money we raise will go towards funding services specifically designed for young cancer patients between the ages of 13-24 in Bristol.”

Emma Beresford added: “Hopefully the money we raise help those of our own age group who are challenged emotionally and physically while trying to lead the normal teenage life that we take for granted.”

Teenage Cancer Trust South West Appeal launched in May 2009. Working with University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and South West Specialised Commissioning Group, the aim is to raise £1 million in order to fund services and facilities solely for young people with cancer aged between 13 and 24 living in the South West.

To make a donation, please visit: www.justgiving.com/montenegrochallenge